Geraldine Emma Gummere

© Tahlequah Daily Press

December 12, 2011

Submitted by: Jo Aguirre

TAHLEQUAH — SALLISAW – Geraldine was born in Sallisaw on May 14, 1921, and passed away on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011.

Geraldine was preceded in death by her parents, Frank Welch and Nannie Hale Welch; and sister, Faye Welch Hanlon.

She will be deeply missed by children, Tanya Rowe Beard and husband Al of Sallisaw, and George Welch Gummere of Tahlequah.

She is survived by sister, Maye Myatt of Sallisaw; cherished companion, Shawnee Stewart of Broken Arrow; grandchildren, Cory and Haley Gummere of Tulsa; nieces, Celia South and Nancylee Myatt; numerous cousins, and many dear friends and former colleagues.

Geraldine graduated valedictorian from Sallisaw High School in 1939, and continued her education at Bacone College in Muskogee and Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. She taught school in the communities of Oakdale, Bluff, Harrison, and Akins.
In 1946, she made her home in California, where she taught elementary school in Richmond, Graeagle, and Sacramento. She retired after 30 years of teaching in California, and in 1976, she and son, George, moved back to Sallisaw. Geraldine spent 10 years teaching school at Liberty and Sallisaw High School.
After retiring from teaching in Oklahoma, she had a successful 20-year career in real estate, working for Melinda Riggs at Century 21 in Sallisaw.
Most people retire once in their lives, but she had three retirements, and always told family that she loved to work.

Geraldine liked sports, and watched racing, boxing, football, and was an avid fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. She enjoyed visiting with friends and family, especially with "the boys," friends of son George.
She was a lifelong Democrat, and liked to watch all debates, always adding her critique.
Geraldine was proud of her Cherokee heritage and took interest in tribal elections. She was kind and giving and irreplaceable; truly one of a kind.

Services will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, Dec. 12, at Mallory-Martin Chapel in Sallisaw, with Monsignor John O'Donnell officiating.

 

Burial will follow at Brushy Cemetery.

Viewing will be from noon to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at the funeral home.

Family will visit with friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 3-5 p.m.
Services are under the direction of Mallory-Martin Funeral Home in Sallisaw. Mallory-Martin Funeral Home, Sallisaw, Okla. (918) 775-4446.

Pallbearers are Dean Henry, Cory Rinehart, Dan Bartlett, Derek Anderson, Jerry Culver and Mark McDonald.